Fraley: Why the combination of Matt Harrison, Adrian Beltre (and his cup!) does wonders for the Rangers

SEATTLE — The bad news for Texas Rangers left-hander Matt Harrison is he will not face Seattle again until mid-September.

The good news for Harrison is he will have third baseman Adrian Beltre at his side every step of the way.

The mutually beneficial relationship between Harrison and Beltre shone through again Sunday in a 4-0 victory over the Mariners at Safeco Field. Harrison won his ninth consecutive decision against the Mariners and produced his second shutout of the season by keeping Beltre involved.

“If you’re a left-hander with a sinker, Beltre is your best friend,” said Rangers manager Ron Washington.

Harrison is a left-hander with a sinker, and Beltre is his best friend in the field. It works like this: Harrison throws the sinker to right-hander hitters, and they pull it directly to Beltre.

It happened six times Sunday. Beltre handled every chance and also started two double plays. He got the most important outs of the game by initiating an inning-ending double play on Brendan Ryan’s sharp grounder in the seventh after the Mariners had put two runners on base.

All but one of the balls was hit hard, but Beltre played each chance with effortless grace. He got into good fielding position each time and let his soft hands do the work.

“With the way some of those balls were hit, I was worried,” Harrison said. “He made every play. He’s unbelievable.

“I’m glad he had a cup on.”

Not really. Beltre has stood in the crossfire at third throughout his career without wearing an athletic supporter. Call that supreme self-confidence, or blithe unawareness.

“He’s crazy,” Harrison said.

Crazy good. Beltre has played a major role in Harrison’s sudden rise to the top rank of left-handed starters.

“The thing with Harrison is he doesn’t give you many chances,” Ryan said. “He’s tough on everybody.”

Harrison is tied with Tampa Bay’s David Price for the American League lead in wins with 12. Harrison also ranks among the leaders for ERA (2.87) and innings (1221/3.) This is not an overnight thing.

Harrison is 19-6 with a 3.47 ERA in his last 31 starts. His success is tied to Beltre’s arrival last season.

Beltre is a Gold Glove winner, the best defensive third baseman in the majors in the eyes of many major league talent evaluators. Having Beltre at third creates a sense of security for Harrison. He does not have to pitch for strikeouts. He can throw the sinker in the full knowledge that Beltre, or shortstop Elvis Andrus, will make the play.

“You definitely feel more comfortable when the ball is hit to him,” Harrison said. “You know he’s going to make all the plays. Our infield is one of the best in the game. If I give up a hit, so be it. The next pitch will be a ground ball again, and I know they’ll make the play.”

Beltre insisted Harrison “has made himself a better pitcher, it’s all him.” Beltre enjoys playing behind a pitcher who throws strikes and gets grounders.

“We’re ready because we know he’s around the plate with the sinker,” Beltre said. “We know we’re going to be in the game, and we want to pick everyone.”

Beltre also increased Harrison’s margin of error with offensive support.

With one out in the third, Seattle manager Eric Wedge walked the slumping Josh Hamilton to load the bases with one out. Beltre beat the move with a two-run single against starter Hisashi Iwakuma that pushed the Rangers’ lead to 3-0.

It was the 10th time this season an opponent has used the intentional walk with Hamilton to get to Beltre. He has responded by driving in seven runs.

“It doesn’t make me mad,” Beltre said of opponents walking Hamilton. “I don’t blame teams for doing it. I want that challenge. I like it and want to come through.”

A cleanup hitter who drives in runs and catches every grounder. A starting pitcher could have no better friend.

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